Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[Trefoil]

I use the shavings (not the fine stuff) after they are a week old and i'm positive they are all feeding good.
Been watching the live feed from the California fires,scary. I'm glad I don't live there.

 

[Folly's place]

Today's pictures of my monster wild goose family. They are now flying! Mary

 

[gladahmae]

Re: meat bird losses. I have only raised 2 batches, but the ONLY ones we lost were due to dogs and when they piled up on a night that it got about 15deg colder than was forecast. I kept waterers filled and filled feed troughs in the morning and in the evening with no supplemental light. Never had leg issues either.

 

[trailrider330]

Just curious how many of you are NPIP certified in Michigan? If so, could you share a little bit about your experience? How much time did it take? How much did it cost? Anything that would be helpful for others looking to do the same. Thanks!

 

[JackieandChicks]

Just curious how many of you are NPIP certified in Michigan? If so, could you share a little bit about your experience? How much time did it take? How much did it cost? Anything that would be helpful for others looking to do the same. Thanks!

I am certified to test; the cost I was thinking of charging was about $1 per bird, plus mileage, but would have to have a minimum charge (have not figured it out yet). The antigen is what is expensive for us to purchase in the first place and I would need to cover cost at least

 

[wannahomestead]

I am certified to test; the cost I was thinking of charging was about $1 per bird, plus mileage, but would have to have a minimum charge (have not figured it out yet). The antigen is what is expensive for us to purchase in the first place and I would need to cover cost at least

What is the benefit of being NPIP certified?

 

[mindylee]

The NPIP is benefits/good to know your current flock is healthy
But adding anything afters, its a gamble unless you test
Also if ya sell, ship birds or eggs outside state lines. It is a absolute must.

I personally wont do it. I sell locally
To me its a waste if im not selling out of state.
HOWEVER i do buy from NPIP sellers. But i also buy out of state and have my stock shipped in as either adult birds or hatching eggs.

But i also have a personal fear of being certified as well.
Not government conspiracy stuff, but afraid that if s*** hits the fan and someone can go into backyard flocks and destroy them... i truly believe that the folks on any records are 1st to be hit.
I maybe paronoid, but thats how i feel.
As a responsible owner and breeder, "if" i have some unknown breakout or many many mysterious unknown deaths, i would contact the right people to test and dispose correctly and take the right and responsible actions.

 

[birdman55]

downsizing flock....please pm me...belfideries...3 females, ee, bunch...they will be butchered very soon...leghorns, one almost extinct lamona female...let me know asap...pm me and we can discuss...

 

[trailrider330]

Anyone else want to weigh in on NPIP certification?

Is there any use for NPIP if you are not shipping birds or eggs over the state line (other than knowing your chickens that are testing are clean? There are a couple people in our area that have advertised "Eggs for Sale", usually with a sign in their front lawn, and they have been told they can not even sell eggs locally unless their facilities are inspected. Not sure if the inspection was NPIP-based, health department or something else. Has anyone else heard of this?

 

[gladahmae]

4-h kids have to have birds that are from a pollorum tested supplier. I *think* npip tests for that? So if you are wanting your kids to show YOUR birds you'd need it. Otherwise it's a legal thing for out of state shipping as I understand it.